Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta agrees with Fabio Capello on ‘why we signed’ Riccardo Calafiori after a positive substitute appearance against Atalanta in the Champions League.
The tie ended in a 0-0 draw at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, with David Raya making a remarkable double save on the Mateo Retegui penalty and follow-up header.
Former Spain international Arteta speaks good Italian and was interviewed by Sky Sport Italia after the match, with Capello as a pundit in the studio.
Arteta and Capello agree on Calafiori importance to Arsenal
Capello noted that the Gunners improved after the Italy international defender came off the bench to replace Jurrian Timber and made one of his trademark runs forward from the back.
It helped them to play the ball out from defence, as he is “an intelligent player who knows how to move off the ball” and can make the right choices.
“This is why we signed him,” replied Arteta.
“Calafiori has a lot of character and in these games in particular he is able to take certain positions that make it very difficult for the opponent to get a reference point.
“It was a tough week for him, as he picked up that injury on international duty, I think he came on really well.”
There was some controversy over Calafiori’s transfer to Arsenal, as he is likely to be used as a left-back rather than in central defence, where he shone for Italy and previously Bologna.
Pep Guardiola famously said that facing Atalanta was “like going to the dentist” – so does Arteta agree with the unpleasant experience of playing a Gian Piero Gasperini team?
“It’s true, at this level it is never easy. If there had been a breakthrough goal it might’ve been different, but when you are not technically where you want to be, that becomes more difficult.
“In the last game against Tottenham we weren’t as good on the ball as we should’ve been either. We cannot make the vertical passes, because we don’t have the right distances to find our way through. There is a lot to improve.”